The Villanova Study Abroad Fair

            On October 31^st I attended the Villanova Study Abroad Fair in the Bartley Atrium. It was a great opportunity to find out about study abroad and start to figure out how I could make my goal of studying abroad a reality. I got the opportunity to speak with many different admissions officers about a variety study abroad options to find out what suits me best. There were a couple of study abroad options that really stood out to me at the fair.

            The study abroad that captured my attention the most was the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management study abroad program in France. The Minnesota program in France had almost everything I am looking for. It is Montpelier which is in the South of France which is desirable because it has a very nice climate and is on the Mediterranean Sea. Also, it is a smaller city, which I hope would

give me a less touristy and more authentic experience. The program is not only in a great location, but it is at a French university where classes are in English with students from all over the world. I want class to be taught in English because it is the only language I am fluent in, but I don’t want to just be in class with other study abroad students from the USA. I want to be immersed with students from all over the word to make it a truly international experience. What really set this apart for me was that it is a home stay where I would live with a host family for the semester. This would be a great way for me to really get immersed in the culture and it would force me to learn the language.

The other program that really stood out to me was Villanova’s program in Urbino, Italy. Similar, to the Minnesota Program, I like that it in a smaller city rather than the big touristy cities like Milan and Venice. This program also offers a company-based project which would allow me to work with an Italian Business to solve real world marketing and communications problems. This would be a great way to develop an understanding of business culture in Europe. Courses in Urbino are also taught in English which is key.

            Study abroad is a great opportunity for college students to be able to live and learn in another country for an extended amount of time. This might be the only opportunity most of us have to live in another nation and experience a completely different culture in our lives. It is also a great way to extend learning beyond the classroom. When abroad learning continues in all aspects of life from learning to speak the language, getting around, incorporating different part of the nation’s culture into daily life and much more.